Along with individual stressor-based research projects, NCCOS undertakes a broader ecosystem approach using larger, multidisciplinary research projects. A recent essay authored in part by NCCOS sponsored scientists gives perspectives on challenges and paths for advancing estuarine science; NCCOS research strives to meet these challenges. Five major research challenges were identified: (1) Maintaining and improving spatially distributed time-series datasets; […]

Under a grant from NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program, NCCOS and NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) have been using remote sensing technology to monitor efforts to reduce land-based pollution runoff to the coral reefs of Guanica Bay, Puerto Rico. Leveraging experience gained on this project, the team recently met with partners […]

Citizen volunteers and college students are evaluating an NCCOS-funded portable sensor that easily and accurately calculates the number of Karenia brevis cells in a water sample, the algae that causes red tides in Florida. This month, St. Petersburg College biotechnology students learned how to use the sensor in a training class at the University of […]

In early June 2016, NOAA and Washington State partners begin a four-month long effort to monitor shellfish and water every week at six locations around Puget Sound and on the Pacific coast. The team plans to measure concentrations of marine algae and their associated lipophilic (fat soluble) toxins, which can accumulate in shellfish and cause […]

An environmental sample processor (ESP) was deployed on May 23 to monitor for harmful algal blooms (HABs) and their toxins off the coast of La Push, Washington in the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, by scientists with NOAA and the University of Washington. This is the first time the ESP, essentially a ‘lab in a […]

A new study shows that water temperature and salinity can indicate the likely occurrence of toxic Alexandrium blooms (a type of harmful algae) in the U. S. Pacific Northwest. As shellfish become contaminated with the toxins produced by these harmful algal blooms (HABs), researchers and shellfish managers can use these findings to predict shellfish toxicity, which causes illness or even […]

Scientists’ use of simulation models has increased during the past several decades as a widely accepted tool for investigations into estuarine dynamics. A recently published scientific review paper, authored by NCCOS-sponsored scientists, outlines the progress and accomplishments of coupled hydrodynamic-ecological estuarine modeling. Many NCCOS-sponsored foundational modeling studies are featured in the review paper. Findings show that while most […]

The 2016 Ocean Sciences Meeting this past winter featured the research of NCCOS scientists and sponsored principal investigators. Topics included ocean acidification, hypoxia, blue carbon, and harmful algal blooms. NCCOS scientists and sponsored researchers gave 24 oral and poster presentations and co-chaired six special sessions. The biennial Ocean Sciences Meeting consists of a diverse program covering […]